Trish & Phill's Tandem TransAmerican

Tour 2003 

Jun 18 Scotts City - Tribune 48mi

Today's ride was only 48 miles and with that in mind and the fact that we put the clock's back one hour (as we pass through a time zone) we prepared for the ride in a relaxed mode. Then we looked out of the Gym window and there was the rain ! The first nine miles rained on us.

I sent my wet weather trousers home, I figure that so long as my torso is warm then it don't matter too much about my legs or arms. The wet weather coat is good until the inside is as wet as the outside. When the time comes to take the coat off my shirt is wet from perspiration. We wear only synthetic clothing so they quickly dry in a bit of wind.

Trish is still uncomfortable on her saddle and spends half her days fidgeting and wiggling around try to get comfy, that movement sends the bike off in all directions if I'm not holding onto the bars tightly a down side of riding a Tandem is that there is limited opportunity to stand up and change positions when you have to. I do know that some Tandem couples can ride both standing but with such a heavy load it is near on impossible.

We were asked by our leader last night  to come up with 3 Haiku's if you don't know what that is neither did I until yesterday.  It is making up a 3 line sentence with only five syllable in the first line, seven in the second and five in the 3rd line, it was supposed to be about Kansas but we all did it about anything. They were so good it is amazing what you will come up with while you are  on your bike with miles of nothing ahead of you.

 Marty went one step further and came up with the following which we all thought was terrific. Marty is such a fun guy , you don't really know what he is thinking but when he does let you know, you know it comes from the heart.

AMERICA AT 12 MPH

I like to bike, it's so much fun

I like to bike into the sun

I like to bike in two's and three's

I bike alone when its just me.

Biking makes me feel good

Over rivers and through the woods

I ride all day sitting right a top

The thing that makes my bottom bop.

We've seen chickens, smelled the hogs

Now waiting for the Prairie Dogs

Past some horses and black cows too,

They wink at me and then they moo!!

It started out upon the sea

Now through five states, just look at me.

The Rockies are what lie ahead

and after that, the thing we dread......

This biking thing will have to end

But now I have my TEN NEW FRIENDS.

Page owned & maintained by Trish Collins email to  trishphill@aapt.net.au.  Last Updated 28/07/2003